MUMMERING · MUltiscale, Multimodal and Multidimensional imaging for EngineeRING

MUltiscale, Multimodal and Multidimensional imaging for EngineeRING

The overarching goal of MUMMERING is to create a research tool that encompasses the wealth of new 3D imaging modalities that are surging forward for applications in materials engineering, and to create a doctoral programme that trains 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) in this tool. This is urgently needed to prevent that massive amounts of valuable 3D imaging data ends on a virtual scrapheap. The challenge of handling and analysing terabytes of 3D data is already limiting the level of scientific insight that is extracted from many data sets. With faster acquisition times and multidimensional modalities, these challenges will soon scale to the petabyte regime. To meet this challenge, we will create an open access, open source platform that transparently and efficiently handles the complete workflow from data acquisition, over reconstruction and segmentation to physical modelling, including temporal models, i.e. 3D “movies”. We consider it essential to reach this final step without compromising scientific standards if 3D imaging is to become a pervasive research tool in the visions for Industry 4.0. The 15 ESRs have been enrolled in an intensive network-wide doctoral training programme that covers all aspects of 3D imaging and will benefit from a varied track of intersectoral secondments that will challenge and broaden their scope and approach to research. The ESRs will exit the MUMMERING network as highly attractive and employable PhDs with a practical and qualified take on industrial research. 3D imaging technologies, such as X-ray or electron CT enable visualization and quantification of the internal micro-structure of objects. In brief, in 3D computed tomography (CT) an X-ray or electron source is used to acquire projection images from many different angles. Next, a computer reconstructs a 3D volume that can be used for further quantitative analysis and modelling. Probably, X-ray CT is best known from its clinical application in the hospital, but through a variety of other industrial applications CT technology affects our daily lives: • Materials science and industrial R&D typically use both electron and X-ray CT to probe the structure of materials’ at the micro- to nanometer or even atomic scale. By relating the structure of materials to their mechanical-physical behaviour, materials with optimized performance are engineered. The range of applications of CT is very wide and covers sectors as diverse as chemical (polymer) industry, semi-conductor industry, geology (and oil) research, agrofood industry and advanced manufacturing applications. Taken together, 3D imaging and analysis is an important aspect of our European knowledge-based economy and enables our industry to stay at the forefront of innovation. Despite the recent advances, 3D imaging is still not the pervasive tool envisaged for wide application in science and industry. However, before 3D imaging is to become a proper scientific tool, instead of just pretty pictures, there are several challenges that we need to overcome: • Handling of data volume • Efficient data reduction • Matching of 3D/4D (temporal evolution) data with appropriate modelling MUMMERING addresses these by adopting a collaborative and coordinated approach to establish a common and open work-flow that helps each researcher covering the entire process without having to compromise on the scientific level of application.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union